H.E. Mr. Ban-ki-Moon,

H.E. Md. Shahab Uddin MP, 

H.E. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP,

Prof. Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA,)

Prof. Dr. Saleemul Huq, Director, ICCCAD,Abul Kalam Azad, GCA Fellows.

Other distinguished speakers, and

Ladies and Gentlemen

Assalamu Alaikum, Peace be upon you.

At the outset, I would like to thank the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) for inviting me to this 7th annual Gobeshona Global Conference that provides an opportunity to share knowledge and practical experience on climate change issues, in particular on Locally Led Adaptation. I am also happy to see that the Global Centre on Adaptation is also co-organizing this event of which I am a Board member. 

Excellencies,

You are aware that although Bangladesh has no or negligible contribution in global warming, it is one of the most vulnerable countries due to its limited coping capacities and specific geographical features. Considering global high risks, the leadership of our national parliament adopted with consensus a resolution and called it a “Planetary Emergency” and urged the leadership of the world to work “on a war footing’’ to manage the negative impact of the climate change. However, I want to make it clear that there is a limit to adaptation and unless the responsible states adopt and implement required mitigation measures, we cannot eternally continue our adaptation measures. The number of climate refugees is increasing and the climate justice must be ensured for all the people and for all countries. We have very practical experience of such a scenario having 1.1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh creating environmental and social havoc.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bangladesh has been highly applauded by the global community for her  home-based excellent adaptation activities to enhance climate resilience. Bangladesh and the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had been honoured to be chosen to lead the Climate Vulnerable Forum for the second term. We have also established the regional office of Global Centre on Adaptation for South Asia in Dhaka. This year we are planting 11.5 million trees across the nation marking the ‘Mujib Borsho’, the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We have also launched ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ to mobilize resources for a secured future and our Hon’ble Prime Minister has announced a ‘Midnight Initiative’ to call upon the leading countries responsible for climate change to strictly adopt and implement enhanced NDCs.

Distinguished guests,

As the host of the GCA South Asia office, we firmly believe that empowering local actors and community is the best way to bring most effective solutions for the vulnerable people. Local actors have that knowledge and experience which are critical to take forward the adaptation activities. In order to make the adaptation actions more effective, effortless and sustainable, we need to engage local people, in particular the local youths. 

Excellencies,

Bangladesh has significant experience on locally led adaptation initiatives which we would like to share with the rest of the world. Our people who are on the frontline of climate change are very innovative in developing adaptation solutions. However, lack of resources and effective financial mechanism often prevent local actors to design essential local adaptation measures and deliver the plan. The covid-19 pandemic has once again proved this. 

As the host GCA South Asia office, we are planning to establish a Center of Excellence on Locally led Adaptation to promote South-South and North-South knowledge sharing and capacity building in Bangladesh. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At last year's Gobeshona Conference, HE. Ban ki Moon, the former Secretary General of the United Nations and also the Chair of the Global Commission on Adaptation launched the Locally Led Adaptation Action Track from the GCA and we are glad to have him with us again this year to launch the new ten year journey to promote locally led adaptation from Bangladesh.

In conclusion, I wish every success to the participants in the 90 different sessions over the next 7 days of the Gobeshona Global Conference and look forward to meaningful outcome of the conference.

I thank you all. 

Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu